- Exclusive interview with Owen Goodman
- Opens up on time on loan and struggles this season
- Looking forward to a maiden World Cup
Crystal Palace goalkeeper and Canada international Owen Goodman has spoken exclusively to ReadCrystalPalace in association with OurCPFC. The Canadian international has opened up on his series of loans and his time at Palace, as well as his ambitions going forward.
Goodman has been at Palace since the age of 13, and has now played for the club for over a decade. A prominent figure in the academy system, Goodman has enjoyed a spell of loans over the last few seasons, and has increasingly developed through the English leagues.
Now 22-years-old, Goodman is entering the real start of his career, and as a goalkeeper, he could hope for a further decade in the sport at least.
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Goodman’s ambition and key learnings
ReadCrystalPalace asked Goodman about his ambitions in the game, and also referenced the pathway that has seen Brighton’s Carl Rushworth progress through the football league and now fight for a place in the first team.
Two years Goodman’s senior, Rushworth progressed through the football pyramid in England and is now fighting for a starting place in the Premier League.
“My ambition is to be the best player and person I can be,” Goodman began. “I believe I can play at the highest level in one of Europe’s top 5 leagues in a couple of years.”
His loan moves have seen him progress from League Two into League One, and Goodman was keen to praise the experiences these loan moves provided him.
“These loans have done a lot for me in terms of playing and learning and I think it’s only going to help me get to where I want to be.”
“He’s [Carl Rushworth] an unbelievable ‘keeper and definitely one you look and want to replicate, but I don’t look at other ‘keeper’s pathways and compare because everyone has a different journey to where they want to get to.”
Whilst Goodman is wise not to pay too much attention to other players’ careers, he can be inspired by the likes of Rushworth when planning his future.
“The biggest learning I’ve taken [from the loan moves] was from this season and how you can’t take anything for granted in football as it’s a dog eat dog industry.”
Goodman spent the first half of the season on loan with Huddersfield, but lost his starting place in the side. He then moved to Barnsley for the second half of the season and recovered his form somewhat. In an ideal world, Goodman would have been a consistent number one at one club for the entire campaign, but he did well to recover from the initial disappointment at Huddersfield.
“I’ve grown up more this season than any other as I dealt with more difficult moments throughout the season. I’ve taken so much learning from it all and I believe it’s only going to make me a better player and person going forward, and will help me get to where I want to be.”
International call-ups and future goals
Despite playing for Palace since the age of 13, Goodman spent eight years of his childhood in Ontario, Canada. After he was originally deemed ineligible by manager Jesse Marsch, he hired a lawyer to prove that his childhood residency qualified him for citizenship.
Since then, Goodman has featured in a couple of camps for Canada, but has yet to make his debut. Now, he has now been called-up for the World Cup this Summer, a huge achievement for a player so young.
“Being called up to my country at a home World Cup is the biggest dream ever. It’s a dream I had as a kid which I never believed would be possible growing up. It makes all the sacrifices growing up all worth it.”
Whilst Canada are not quite favourites to progress deep into the tournament, the experience a home World Cup will provide Goodman will be unparalleled to anything else in his career so far.
“It will be an unbelievable experience at this World Cup. It’s the start of my journey with the National team, and I’m excited for the future ahead.”
Rounding off the interview, we asked Goodman what his ultimate ambitions and goals were for his career.
“I back myself to play at the top level in Europe and be the number one for my country. I know my ability and have to keep working hard and never let any sort of complacency creep into me.”
ReadCrystalPalace thanks Owen for his contribution, and looks forward to seeing his career progress going forward.
